England have fretted so long about the inability to consistently pair John
Terry and Rio Ferdinand at the centre of the defence. On Wednesday night
they were given reason to fret some more.

Both played together. Both made errors. Both appeared unconvincing. Both performed far below their best with Ferdinand, in particular, puncturing his display with the lapses that used to blight his game.

There were others that slipped up – most notably two players who have both earned big, eye-catching moves this summer. Glen Johnson, at right-back, was the rabbit in the headlights who used to make Jose Mourinho's lip curl – and not the £17 million acquisition who Liverpool hope will make the difference for them this season.

Gareth Barry, even more so, and even more surprising given the certainty under which he has played for Fabio Capello since the Italian made him such a central figure, has much to reflect on. He didn't look the £11 million fulcrum for the new Manchester City.

Both of Holland's goals summed up the malaise. England failed to pass their first-half test because they failed to pass. Instead they conceded goals of professional suicide.

Ferdinand's ridiculous first-time attempted back-pass to Robert Green and Barry's thoughtless effort to play the ball blindly inside to a team-mate, only to find Arjen Robben, were the two extreme examples that highlighted the genuine concerns for England.

Johnson, such a player of confidence that his first-touch often dictates his performance had a poor first-touch... and a poor performance. In goal, Green failed to convince – his distribution was lacking in the quality while he came, stopped and was fortunate to save with his legs from Dirk Kuyt after flapping at a cross.

The goals had Capello in that pose that demonstrates his unhappiness: arms crossed, legs set apart, motionless. Terry had revealed the England manager is prone to delivering the "hairdryer" treatment at half-time if displeased. Eleven Englishmen will have felt the force in the dressing room.

It had an effect. After the interval, there was more purpose while Jermain Defoe, sharply taking both of his goals, James Milner and Carlton Cole, all made a difference. England had impetus.

Before that they were disjointed, sloppy, unsure. They tried to play the game of possession that Capello has demanded but appeared gripped with a lack of certainty.

Not that the mistakes stopped. On several occasions, Johnson was turned easily and Ferdinand dallied while in possession.

On Friday it is just 300 days to go until the World Cup kicks-off in Johannesburg.

Defence had been one of England's strong points – beyond the obvious worries about the goalkeeping position and right-back – but now Capello cannot be so certain. England came back well into this game. But, when it comes to next summer, they may not be allowed to do so.